Flight to Ponta Delgada - Azores (PDL)

Flying to Ponta Delgada - Azores: tips and information for your trip

The islands of the Azores are located between Europe and North America, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, exciting water sports, or impressive landscapes, you’re sure to find it here. Each island has its own special charm. Head out on the trip of your dreams and get to know the diverse beauty of the Azores.

Volcanos, hot springs, lush green landscapes and steep cliffs – on a trip to the Azores you will experience nature at its most impressive. These islands, which belong to Portugal, are perfect for those that want to get active while on vacation. The wonderful hiking trails are hard to resist, as are the dreamy beaches, which have perfect conditions for water sports. But those that simply want to relax and get away from it all can also find just what they’re looking for on these islands. Far away from the masses of tourists, you can enjoy the calm of nature to the fullest. A boat tour is an unforgettable experience since the chance of spotting whales and dolphins is quite high. Make sure you don’t forget to enjoy the local cuisine, and go ahead and try the incredible local wines and traditional dishes.

Discover these breath-taking islands and book a flight to the Azores (PDL) on swiss.com

Your trip to the Azores: Information for your travel and stay

• When is the best time to travel to the Azores? The Azores features an oceanic-subtropical climate and is quite calm the whole year. The winters are relatively mild, and the summers not too hot. You can explore the impressive island landscapes all year round thanks to these optimal temperatures.
• How do I get from the airport (PDL) to the island capital? Flights to the Azores typically land in the Ponta Delgada airport (PDL), known as Aeroporto João Paulo II in Portuguese. This is the largest airport on the archipelago. It is located on the main island of São Miguel, about 3 km outside the city centre. You can quickly reach Ponta Delgada by taxi or on the shuttle bus, which departs regularly. The island capital is also the perfect location to use as a hub for trips to other Azores islands.
• Which language is spoken on the Azores? The official language of the Azores is Portuguese, but it is spoken with a very strong island dialect. If you speak English, you’ll have no problem being understood in the more touristic areas.

Book flights to the Azores and discover the archipelago’s highlights

Make sure you don’t miss out on these sights:

• Crater lake of Sete Cidades
• Furnas hot springs
• Whale watching

Beautiful hiking trails can be found on the Azores islands. One that you certainly won’t want to miss is the trail around the crater lake of Sete Cidades on São Miguel. The hike around the crater is about 16 km long. The view over the lakes, the endless lush green landscape, and the Atlantic is well worth the tired legs, however.

The Furnas village is also located on the main island and is known for its geothermal springs. Visit the Terra Nostra Park and relax in one of the thermal pools with year-round water temperatures of about 38 degrees Celsius. A visit to the park is also a good idea because of the diverse array of native plants.

Do you want to observe a whale in its natural habitat? Then make sure you plan a day trip to the island of Pico. There you’ll find Portugal’s highest mountain, the volcanic Mount Pico (2,351 m). The island is also the ideal hub for whale spotting tours. Over 20 whale species can be found in the surrounding waters.

Get to know the local cuisine

Planning a flight to the Azores means that you can also look forward to the local culinary specialities. Try some of the excellent wine on the island of Pico. It pairs perfectly with traditional dishes like the flavourful “Cozido das Furnas” stew. It is made with different types of meat, potatoes and vegetables and cooked by volcanic heat for six hours in a hole in the ground.